Texas Food & Wine Alliance

Calling all culinary trailblazers! $75,000 in grants is burning a hole in our pocket. If you run an innovative, community-minded food and beverage nonprofit or business, we invite you to apply. Check out the details here: https://bit.ly/3C9MQse

It's our grant-iversary! 11 years ago today, we gave $20,000 to three Austin recipients who were innovating the Central Texas food and beverage scene. Today, we have given away more than a half million in grants to pioneering businesses and organizations across the state. Thank you for supporting us for more than a decade.

📸: Tecolote Farm

ACTION ALERT 🚨: Since opening in 2019, our former grant winner Nixta Taqueria has been a shining light in Austin’s culinary scene — not only bringing home a James Beard Foundation award but also leading the local mutual aid conversation as the pilot location of the ATX Free Fridge Project. After weathering the pandemic and the 2021 power crisis, they are now facing an extended closure and considerable costs stemming from a power disconnection last week.

Simply put, Austin would be a less exciting food city without them! Please consider donating to their online fundraiser to help them pay for architectural and structural expenses and to keep their team on the payroll. Details on how you can help are at the link below.

https://bit.ly/44pJ2PG

Help Nixta Taqueria Stay Open, organized by Sara Mardanbigi Hi, y'all - we're Sara Mardanbigi and Edgar Rico. We co-own and operate Nixta Taqueria … Sara Mardanbigi needs your support for Help Nixta Taqueria Stay Open

Our fundraising dinners aren’t just an excuse to eat some dang fine food — they’re an investment in Texas’ incredible food community. Funds raised help grant winners like Cafe Momentum prepare justice-involved youth for restaurant industry careers. Join us at José on Monday, June 26 for a five-course feast starring Anastacia Quiñones-Pittman, Philip Speer of Comedor, Rick Lopez of La Condesa Austin, and André Natera of Chef's PSA — and help us grow our culinary grant program in Dallas! A handful of seats are still available at the link below.

https://bit.ly/46gjLtA

Going once, going twice! There are only a few hours left to bid on our Summer of Fun Auction. Bid now to score fabulous packages like a beachfront stay in Indian Rocks Beach, Florida; a Bourbon tasting experience for 12 at Nine Banded Whiskey, and a whirlwind trip to Paso Robles wine country. The summer has just begun! Fill the long hours with getaways and unforgettable culinary adventures!

Bidding closes at 4 pm on Friday, June 23. Get in on the action here: https://bit.ly/42WXgXw

What's cooking at our June 26 guest chef dinner at José? A sweet corn tamal with bacon and succotash and grilled octopus with green pea mole and pea salad. Our stomach is grumbling already!. Get your ticket at the link below — only a handful of seats remain.

https://bit.ly/3Pf3sXY

Our supporters made 2022 more delicious! Happy holidays to all — and a bountiful new year!

📣 Calling all farmers, chefs, food & beverage makers, culinary professionals and businesses! If you're located in Austin, Houston, San Antonio, or Dallas areas, this is your last chance to apply for a culinary grant.

We're taking applications through October 23 for our 10th and most abundant year of giving. Don't miss out on a great opportunity to support an upcoming project or community initiative. Follow the link for application info: https://bit.ly/3C9MQse

As of 2022, Texas Food & Wine Alliance has given $532,500 in grants to help innovative culinary projects come to fruition. Some of last year's grants went toward educational farms, a community gathering space, culinary education programs, and equipment and research for vibrant and diverse local food businesses to expand production and distribution. Learn more about our past grant recipients and apply for 2022 grants here: https://bit.ly/3C9MQse

HEY TEXAS! Help us get the word out and share with anyone you know in the culinary industry: We're awarding monetary grants to food and beverage makers, producers, farmers, businesses and professionals in Austin, San Antonio, Houston, and Dallas areas as part of our mission to foster awareness and innovation in the Texas culinary community. We have a record amount of $111,500 to give via grants this year and we want to make sure we are as impactful as possible.

⏲ Deadline to apply is October 23. Follow the link for info, FAQ & application! https://bit.ly/3C9MQse

It’s officially TFWA grant season y’all! We're celebrating our 10th year of giving and this year we're all set to award more than $100,000 ($111,500 to be exact!) to Texas culinary businesses and nonprofits in Austin, Dallas, Houston, and San Antonio.

If you are or if you know farmers, artisan producers, chefs, wine/beer/spirits makers, culinary businesses and culinary professionals who have made an impact on your community, let them know about this awesome opportunity to apply for grants!

Follow the link to learn more info, apply and read up on our past grant recipients: https://www.texasfoodandwinealliance.org/culinary-grant-program

Heading to Luck Reunion to catch Flaming Lips as part of Luck & KUTX 98.9's 10th Anniversary Series? If you're a VIP ticket holder, treat yourself to a delicious PreFlame dining experience before the show.

Here's a little peek of the menu to whet your appetites:
Lauded chefs Aaron Bludorn and Marie Riddle of Bludorn Restaurant (Houston) and Junior Borges of The Village Meridian (Dallas) will fire up Mill Scale Metalworks grills for a family-style meal starting with a lavish raw bar courtesy of Tabasco. Then a family-style feast of wood-fired favorites including Wagyu Picanha with Malagueta Chimichurri, Calabresa Sausage, Blackened Grouper with Tamarind Purée, and Grilled Shrimp and Octopus with Chermoula.

Diners will also relish Texas’ late-summer harvest in dishes like Woodfired Squash with Red Onions and Gremolata, Smashed Fingerling Potatoes with Romesco, and Baby Gem Lettuce Salad with Tomatoes, Parmesan Vinaigrette, and an Everything Crumble. Classic Apple Tatins and S’Mores will round out the meal with a sweet finish. Plus beers from Houston’s 8th Wonder Brewery, wines from Dalla Terra Winery Direct, and cocktails featuring Tito's Handmade Vodka, High West Distillery, and Casa Noble Tequila.

Proceeds from our PreFlame dinner help the Texas Food & Wine Alliance grow the future of food through a unique grant program for Texas farmers, culinary entrepreneurs, and nonprofits.

Limited seats are available as an add-on for VIP ticket holders only. Purchase your VIP & PreFlame tickets here: https://bit.ly/3BdsAFZ

🔥👄
PreFlame is our can't-miss dinner available as an add-on to VIP ticket holders to Luck Reunion & KUTX 98.9 's 10th Anniversary Series on Saturday, October 1.

Before the Flaming Lips show, break bread under the magical Hill Country sky with some of Texas' hottest chefs at Luck Ranch, Willie Nelson’s backyard.

Limited seats are available to VIP ticket holders only. Proceeds from the unforgettable evening help the Texas Food & Wine Alliance grow the future of food through a unique grant program for Texas farmers, culinary entrepreneurs, and nonprofits.

⏰ When: Saturday, October 1
📍 Where: Luck Ranch, Spicewood, TX
Add-on for VIP ticket holders only. Does not include show ticket; a VIP show ticket must also be purchased. Buy tickets here: https://bit.ly/3BdsAFZ

If you haven't gotten your tickets to Taco Rumble in San Antonio yet, this is your sign! 🌮 🔮 Tacos could be in your future. Tickets are going fast for this legendary Texas taco celebration this Thursday, September 15 7:30–10pm at San Antonio Museum of Art.

Want to make sure you get in? Pick up your advance tickets via our link in bio.

Meet some of our Taco Rumble Chefs!

🌮 Chef Rick Lopez La Condesa Austin
🌮 Cocineros Tradicionales Sonia Lopez, Fernando Baes and Edgar Yepez — Los Danzantes ATX
🌮 Chef James Moore — Full Belly
🌮 Chef Nicola Blaque — The Jerk Shack
🌮 Chef Tony Ibarra — La Mina La Mina Taquería Mi Roti
🌮 Chef Jesse “Kirk” Kuykendall La Milpa Mexican Restaurant & Market
If you love tacos (Do you even get to live in Texas if you don't love tacos?!), get your tickets to this can't-miss event: https://bit.ly/3TuQg0y

Are you the *ultimate* taco lover? Make Taco Rumble a night to remember with VIP access! Limited passes are available now.
✨
The Taco Rumble VIP experience includes access to the Casa Noble lounge at Tre Trattoria and 7 pm early entry to the event. Guests will enjoy sweet bites by Rebecca Masson of Fluff Bake Bar, specialty cocktails by Natasha Riffle of upcoming bar Chiflada's and exclusive bites from Jason Dady paired with Casa Noble Tequila's award-winning tequila portfolio — including the new ultra-premium offering Marqués de Casa Noble, a skillful blend of 21 añejos and extra añejos.

Follow the link for event details and VIP ticket purchases. See you there! https://bit.ly/3TuQg0y

It's about that time! Taco Rumble is getting closer and our taco appetites are getting out of control. Here are a few of our chefs showcasing their stellar taco skills for this one night, all-out taco competition. Here are some top taco talents from across Texas:

🌮 Chef Victoria Elizondo — Cochinita & Co. Cochinita & co.
🌮 Chef Jason Dady Jason Dady Catering and Private Events
🌮 Chef Ceasar Zepeda — Sangria on the Burg - Restaurant • Bar • Catering
🌮 Taquero Daniel Cobos — VaqueroTaquero

Follow the link to purchase your all-inclusive tickets to Taco Rumble! https://bit.ly/3TuQg0y

We are over the moon that two of our grant winners are now James Beard Award winners! Chef Edgar Rico won the medal for Emerging Chef last night for his visionary work at Nixta Taqueria. On June 11, Chef Jesse Griffiths of Dai Due won the single subject book award for his essential The Hog Book: A Chef’s Guide to Hunting, Butchering and Cooking Wild Pigs.

Congratulations are also due to the other Texas winners: Iliana de la Vega of El Naranjo for Best Chef: Texas and Julep for Outstanding Bar Program. We couldn’t be more impressed by the breath of talent in the Lone Star State!

This month in our TX Feed newsletter: We’re celebrating Pride with our LGBTQIA+ grant winners and sharing some HUGE news from one of our board members. Not subscribed? Catch up at https://bit.ly/3MHLbgK. While you are at it, sign up for our updates. Subscribers are the first to know about our statewide events like Wine & Swine in Austin and Taco Rumble in San Antonio.

Huge shout out to our 2018 grant winner Jesse Griffiths! The Hog Book: A Chef's Guide to Hunting, Butchering, and Cooking Wild Pigs has been nominated for a 2022 James Beard Award in the single subject category. Even more impressive, it’s the only self-published book to make it to the short list. It’s amazing to see a passion project get some well-deserved praise. Congratulations to Chef Jesse and all the Texas nominees!

On February 24, Russia launched a large-scale military operation on neighboring Ukraine, invading the country on several fronts. Since then, millions of Ukrainians have fled, with that number expected to rise dramatically. The journey is daunting, with many Ukrainian families traveling for days without food. In light of this continuing crisis, proceeds from tonight’s dinner at Bludorn Restaurant — previously set to benefit the Texas Food & Wine Alliance — will help World Central Kitchen continue their relief efforts in the region.

Working at a 24-hour pedestrian border crossing in southern Poland, World Central Kitchen began serving hot, nourishing meals within hours of the initial invasion, and they are now set up at border crossings, reception centers, and shelters across Poland, Romania, Moldova, Hungary, and Ukraine.

WCK will continue to help in the best way they know how, with a freshly prepared plate of food. As the situation evolves, they are ready to expand their support for families in need. If you are able, please join Chef Aaron Bludorn, Chef Junior Borges, The Village Meridian, Bludorn Restaurant, and us in supporting this crucial cause. Head to https://bit.ly/3tjiQHj to donate.

If you want to be part of Texas’ hottest party, now’s the time to act! GA tickets for Live Fire! on April 14 are now sold out and only a handful of VIP passes remain. Don’t miss out on this year’s sizzling lineup. Head to https://bit.ly/357jnSQ to nab your tickets today.

Only a few hours left in Amplify Austin Day! If you haven’t yet donated, now’s your chance to help us bring culinary arts education to Texas high school students. https://bit.ly/3K5BEza

Each year, we host an inspiring one-day conference. Free to students and educators, this special day of learning helps students learn about a broad range of food and beverage jobs — and help chart a future career path.

Since the conference’s inception in 2013, the Culinary Arts Career Conference has hosted more than 5,000 students from over 90 Texas high schools, growing the next generation of food and beverage business leaders. Donations will help us offer the program to even more budding chefs, farmers, and artisans and increase accessibility for all.

This Amplify Austin Day, help plant the seeds for the future of Texas food by donating to the Texas Food & Wine Alliance! You have until 6 pm tomorrow, March 3 to take part in this remarkable day of giving. https://bit.ly/3K5BEza

Through our one-of-a-kind grant program, we help small businesses like Ninja Pig grow and amplify their work in the community. Since 2012, we have given $404,500 to trailblazing organizations, entrepreneurs, and culinary professionals that share the Alliance’s commitment to community giveback. Whether by working towards sustainable solutions, changing workplace culture, or encouraging charitable business models, our grants fund projects that ensure a better Central Texas for all.

⏰ Set your alarm for 6 pm today and help grow the giving for the Alliance on Amplify Austin Day!

Through our one-of-a-kind grant program, we help nonprofits like Multicultural Refugee Coalition amplify their work in the community. Since 2012, we have given $404,500 to trailblazing organizations, entrepreneurs, and culinary professionals that share the Alliance’s commitment to community giveback. Whether by fighting food insecurity, aiming for a more sustainable future, preserving historical foodways, or ensuring the food and beverage business is more equitable, our grants fund projects that ensure a better Central Texas for all.

Plant the seeds for the future of Texas food at https://bit.ly/3K5BEza.

26 brilliant chefs. ✨ 26 decadent black truffle dishes.💥 1 Champion. 👑

We are so excited to be the nonprofit beneficiary of the 2022 Truffle Masters, March 7 at Houston’s An annual celebration of one of the world’s oldest and most precious delicacies, showcases the city’s top culinary talent as each chef creates a gourmet dish featuring the black truffle. Dreamed up and still hosted by luxury food importers , the Truffle Masters helps raise funds for our culinary innovation grant program! Tickets, a complete list of participants, and additional information at thetrufflemasters.com.

Looking for the perfect Valentine’s Day gift to spoil your loved ones? Check out our latest TX Feed newsletter for swoon-worthy ideas from our grant recipients. From blushing bubbles to decadent chocolates, there’s something for everyone on your list. Plus, find details on how to get involved with the Alliance and the Les Dames D'Escoffier Austin Chapter and Easy Tiger bake sale to help Texas French Bread recover from last week’s fire.

TX Feed: Valentine's Gifts to Fall in Love With Still looking for the perfect valentine? Whether you are looking to set the stage for romance, tell your bestie how much they mean to you, or treat yourself, the Alliance’s grant winners are sure to set hearts aflutter.   Barton Springs Mill Bond with your beloved by learning the art of sourdough...